Sheet handling apparatus



July 27, 1943. s, A, HUFFMAN SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 28, 1941 July 27, 1943. s, A. Hur-'FMAN 2,325,059

SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS V Filed April ze, 1941 .4 sheets-sheet 2 72 Q 79 J9 J4 @5 2114A' 1 July 27, 1943. s. A. HUF'FMAN 2,325,059

SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April 2a, 1941 4 sheets-sheet s n.llllnllllnlllnlnll July 27, 1943. s. A. HUFFMAN 2,325,059

SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April 2a, 1941 4 sheets-sheet 4 'eef 22 l'NvENToR Jmue/ Huf/man Patented July 21, 1943 i UNITED omer:

I .l Y SHEET i .i i

corporation vof Pennsylvania Applicationvapril ze, 194 1^,s`erialN0;ceo,es9 e 36 Claims, (Cieli-177) This invention relates to sheet Ihandling apparats and more particularly to apparatus in which sheets' `are advanced on `a :carrier and in"which ineens are provided for positioning the sheets on the carri-er during' such advance. The invention relates still incre particu'lailyv to sheet handling apparatus of the type compr-isili'gendless sheet .supporting means bodily adv'ance'able With a', Sheet thereon without perta'kihgi of end-Wise movement- 'nd 'adapted to partake of= endwise movement bodily retraction thereof to deliver the sheet and to sheet positioningfnieans for use y'tl'li-:rewiftii and means for operating the sheet'positiening means. y y u The inventon'will be described by Way of exiplalnation and illustration as embodied -in handling' apparatus of type emilyiig an csclllatable carrier having thereonendless tapes upenwhlch sheets lare advanced individually,v 'one sheet upon each cycle of operation of the carrier. Asfitlle" carrier advances with 'ai sheet thereon'the tapes do notpartake of en'dvvis'evk movement' mit are stationary relativelyto the shafts or pulleys Aaround which they extend. Uponretraction 'of theV carrier the tapes partake of endwise m'over'ne'ntl to deliver the sheet. 'The effect is that the 'carrier advances beneath the sheet and with the sheet resting upon its upper surfaoeandthen 'is withdrawn from under the sheet' but without exerting vsubstantial friction on'the sheet,v Whereyuptzm the :sheet is free to fall .upon a pile or .other in sheet handling apparatus .of the type :nentioned` which Vis desirably employed in ydelivering sheets from printing presses and othjei` instrumentalities acting thereon sequentially means are p'mvided for. holding the sheets on the tapesgof the oscillatable carrier during advance of lthe carrier,v as otherwise' the sheets would not 'remain in place butv would tend to have their forward edges blown iup or to undesirably shift position on the -carrien particularly when apparatus is operated at high speed.v Various means have heretofore beenfemployed to posi- .t-ion the sheets von the carrier. Such nieanshave not proved entirely satisfactory. :The yoperation ofl the positioning means must be very accurately timed te the oscillation. o f the carrierlin order te insure proper delivery of thesheets; The actual amplitudev 'of movement of jthe carrier varies attraction of an inohat different speeds' in amplitude 0I oscillation of the carrier have4 vre'suflterl in'` operation of the positioning means apaisement emes .in the .cyclegof the carrier, resulting in `noli-lln'ilorrn' delivery of Y the sheets. Moreover, infsuchipositionihg devices the operation at "highfspeeds'y hfsbeen such as to subject tll'eparts to great-shock and strain, sheitening die lifeof,y the ennemie and hastemng maladjuslandthe necessity of repair; i

` Ix'provde' sheet handling apparatus employing fsheet' positioning iiieaiis' operable at theA proper peint merle cycle 'er vthe apparatus at all times nl@ inv wlilehupdue Sheckane strain apen the obviated.' yI preferably 'operate theffslieet positioning means by'n'ieans`r having' rolling coritaet'a'nd desirabiy I elfhploy 'a ireewheelng clutch idieallefpon 'oscillation of the"car1ier in one @elreetmend operablejupon esclllalbien of the carrier-"in" the opposite'v direction to m'o've the positioning rneansvvbetween operative and, inpperanvepesioons Prefeably the positioning means areVY maintained in operativev position during advance of the carrier, this desiralily being Te'iiecte'd by resilieiit'nieaiis, and upon the beginning er the' ietraenve movement of the carrier the free "wliieingelutehlgf engaged te frendertlie @means Y inoperative, this preferably being 1accomplisl'lellby the rolling` Contact means above` mentioned. Upon advance .Qf the carrier vthe rolling Contact xr'l'ie'an.;andV 'free wheeling clutch prefer'aly ysinipl'y idl and perform no operative function .w'lhe terin free Wheeling clutchis Aused yherein denote a connection,

preferably,v though not necessarily, 'rotarly, which transmits motion from a driving mernberto a driven member when the'driving member oper- 3Valles 'in on' direction out doerslnot transmit such motion whenthe driving m-ernbeijoper'ats 'inthe 'opposite direction.

I pref-'erabiyemploy positioningineans inthe natilrorihgers'cafiedfbya turnable shaft so Ithat .the fin-gers aresvvurlg to and vfrom operative position 'upr turning ofthe shaftthrough a 's'niallangleQ "The lingers cooperatewith the carrier toA positionne, sheet thereon during the forward rlzradvaneieg' movement of, the carrier in each cycle 'of operation of the sheet handling apparatus. v Desirably the positioning vmeans comprise `a'.portion acting as a stop or guide tordetenliiie the'position .lengthwise of the carrier of ,theforward edge of thewsheet and aportion I"pressingiiovv'i' the' sheet adjacent its` forward edge upon' a porton'of the carrier'.l However, it; is" to bevundel'stood that the term positioning means "as used lre'reinisnot so limited but relates to `any means having a' positioning function relatively to the sheet and carrier. Such means may, for example, comprise only the stop or guide means or only the means for pressing the sheet down against the carrier, the other function in either case being performed by other means 0r conceivably n some instances being omitted.

In the description to follow the positioning means will be referred to as grippels, it being understood that while in the form shown separate stop and holding portions are employed either of such portions alone might be operated according/ V to my invention and in such case would be considered as a gripper, although in some eases it I might not actually have a gripping function. I shall refer to the shaft upon which the grippers are mounted as the gripper shaft. Preferably I provide a spring always urging the gripper shaft to turn the grippers to operative position. Upon 1 the forward movement of the carrier the grippers are down in operative position to position Athe y.

sheet on the carrier. They remain in this position until the instant whenthe carrier begins its rearward or retracting movement. A t such instant the free wheeling clutch is engaged to turn the gripper shaft to raise the grippers. When the grippers are raised to a predetermined point a latch preferably engages tohold them in raised or inoperative positionr during at least a predetermined portion of theretracting movement of the carrier and while the sheet is passing beneath the raised grippers. Thereafter, and preferably as the carrier approaches the end of its retracting movement, the latch is rendered inoperative and theaforementioned spring turns the gripper shaft to return the grippers to operative position.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as .the following description of a present preferred embodiment thereof proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a present preferred embodiment of the invention, in which Figure 1 is a partial side elevational view of sheet delivery apparatus, parts having no relation to the present invention being omitted;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view to enlarged scale of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan View to still further enlarged scale of a portion of the struc- Vture shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal L Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal cross-sectional View taken on the line IX-IX of Figure 7;

Figure l0 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view taken on the line X-X of Figure '7;

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in elevation and partly in vertical transl XIV of Figure 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown a sheet delivery apparatus comprising opposed side frame members 2 in which the sheet handling or delivery mechanism is mounted. The apparatus will hereinafter be referred to as a delivery. The delivery is adaptl ed for use in connection with a printing press or the like to deliver and pile up sheets treated sequentially therein. The sheets come to the delivery one at a time upon tapes 3 preferably operating at constant speed substantially equal tothe linear speed of the surface of the press cylinder. The sheets move from right to left, viewing Figure l. As each sheet"approaclies the left-hand end of the tapes 3 itis delivered to a carrier designated by reference numeral 4 which is horizontally oscillatable or reciprocable.

There isprovided driving mechanism including an oscillatable gear segment 5 the upper portion only of-which is shown in Figure 1. During operation of the apparatus the gear segment 5 oscillates longitudinally of the delivery. It meshes with a pinion 6 fixed4 on a shaft 'l carried by the delivery frame. The shaft I also has fixed thereto aV gear 8 which Ameshes -with a p pinion 9 xed to a shaft I0 also carried-by the sprocket i3 in alignment therewith.

delivery frame. Fixed to the shaft IIJ adjacent each of the side frames 2 is a sprocket I I. Carried by each of the side frames 2 is astud I2 carrying a sprocket I3. Each of the sprockets I3 is in longitudinal alignment with one of the sprockets II. A sprocket chain I4 meshes with each of the sprockets Il and the .corresponding Idlers I5 and I6 cooperate with the respective sprocket chains I4,r the idler I6 being provided with a take-up device I1. f

Each of the sprocket chainsk I4 is provided with one or more special links I8. Each of such special links has a bracket portion to which is bolted by bolts I9 a casting 20. The opposed Acastings 20 together with means extending transversely of the delivery therebetween and connecting th'e same together and the mechanism carried thereby constitute the carrier 4 which delivers the sheets sequentially from the tapes 3 to'the delivery pile.v The delivery pile Yis not shown in the drawings but is positioned `underneath the'carrier 4 to receive sheets there- 'the right-hand end ofits stroke, viewing Figure 1; although moving toward the left when a sheet is delivered to it upon the tapes 3.

Fastened to the inside of each side frame lmember 2 is a carrier supporting and guiding rail 2|. Each of the castings 20 carries a pair Vof rollers 22 which ride upon one of the rails 2|. The castings 20 are joined together by a transverse sie bar which @xmms shes-eee# tween. Supported bythe sie bar l0 are genemiiy mrimnsaiiy exiyenaing miler supporting was ll which extien'ioward the press y.andiivsrhieh carry at 'their ememiies moaning? and gainingV rollers 32'.' Mounlaed vin the @carrier amv-mr.'- naled" for rot/ation 'in bearinfgs Yfearriellf-by portions oi oasiingsl's'a bane drive shaft 33 carrying roiiers 3%' each-infaii-gnment wiiii one 01 'the lrollers 132. An endless tape'i extentie around each of the pairs of alignedy rollers 3! spider 33 has' one generally radial face and '5 another inni-ined face, Vas sho-wn. in Figure' 1B. when the pinion 43 is ftumed in the clockwise direction, viewing Figureii, the roi-lere H-'wii ne against "the generairy-raoiaifiaces oi the arms 'o the spider 39 and the spider wiil ren'iesinl 'stef iio'nary, the pinion in fand rv'sleeve i! taining 'thereaboutywirem however, 'the pinion is burned 'in the counter-leikwse direction viewurged reward inoline faces ci the armsof of the eatrrier soV that the upper: reaches kof blie tapes 35 between the rollers 32 and willrem'an substantially stationary relatively t'o the side,

frames 2. A sheii" resting upon the tapes 85 will thus advanced in fixed position on thecar'rier when the carrier moves away from the press and whenthe carrier' moves backtoward the 'press-it under sheshess, leaving the sheet nee to am onto the'pile.` The pinion 43 has a laberal projection' 4S carrying'a bearing' portion l1 which bears against a bearing portion I8 on the rail l iwhleh eax-'fiestas rack as. as the opposite end of the Shaft 33 `is Toilet l! v4Whieh is wmable'elativ'eiy to 'the shaft 33 and whioh bears against surface vof vthe opposite Mounted' in the carrier l andextending be'- tweenthe' castings 2B is a gripper shaft l'29; The gripper shaib is tumableinV bearing'siin' the `castings 20 and rhas fixed thereto at inbervais transverseiyfof the apparatrolszgppers 15. ill'aoh 25 comprises a finger N' having a sheet positioning guide or stoppor-on Al1 at irsf'oirr :amenity-adapted when the gripper is down in "to engage 'the forward edge of a tthe spider 83 fand will temi Qto lsiindbebv'veen .the

seiner and the sleeve i2; thus causing and i-'t the shaft -33 to turn 'with 'the pinion i3. l

the raek i5 is statimary andV ihe carrier' lof the shaft 33 forms'a pat-t oseilabes Mok and forth relatively thereto' Athe pinion n vwii'l ttnn alternately in one direction-end fthe @met oscillation :of the carrier. can riet 'is moving outI away from the lpress Athe 4B @urnsfin the einem viewing Figure 18, and does not tur-n the shaft hoeveveig the carrier lis moving toward the ypinion n turns in the coimteroloekwise direeton, viewing Figure 13, andfcemses the shaft 33 l"to tum therewith. Consequently the'siiab n turns only 'when'ftne carrier 'is moving toward the 'press and-ndt when 'moving' away 'frorn'the press. But turning 'of the shaft 33 in ine *counterieheirwise direction, viewing i1 and' 1B, vnuovi-ys rhe 'tapes "85 end'wse reiat'vely to *me roners '32a-nd 3l and in the -con'niereoekvse direcltion about the 'axis of the sha-H', 33, Figiure 4. "-Iiie Aciti-13er surfaces of vthe bams 35 lie ap pmx'irnael'y in' :the pitch line 'of the Tack #5, The result f-is' lwhen carrier moving my irom the lpress 'the tapes 3'5 Yzionot:'partake Jof endwise movement relatively to the rdf-lets :32 and il. z

`When, however, the 'carrier moves tback toward press the tapes sparbake of en-wise 'movemerli'I relatively iro rollers 3! and 3l, the mear speed of such of theftapes be'ing stane'ialy equal to `rthe linear speed of 'me pinion 4s meshes wen s reel: u' rennes mi s the mdersuriaee of one of the rails '2=l.l YSin-ee,

sheet` feu ,to the-earner to thereby vpositionne sheehtlre carrier. E'acii'iv also @resilient noiedewn member tewese extremis i! is adapten to bear 'upon Aone'ofalrove men named miierss' earned by thesnaft' sa. 'Essa stehe members 2s `is fastened to its najgervze as so and its sensirmavbe assesses by a adjusting screw Si.' YThe gripper strucbure per se forms 'no part of the present invention and ciaimeain @pending application sensi nog. 353,555.- The grippers are'sho'wn in posation in figure s.- whenm such position the eirtre'mityIQ of each 28 bears upon meer the reliefs e1; the stop portion '21 be'- in-g oiset laterally the foil-er andexfnd'- the'sm'faee' of the roher geseeaiiy mwa-rei the axis *of* the shan es, 'as shown in 'Figure 5. Y The giippersare'in the posi'- rion shown 'in Figure 5 when e smeris denver-eri so rheesrnerrmm the tapes a.' At simi time nie samer ismsvmg from right *be ien, viewing Figure 1. moves somewhat fas'rshan the earner' at' the time it is esami by the carrier ao. me romain 'the sheet engages the 'stop' portions 21 of the grippers `wl'ierebythe sheet; is positioned on the carrier, passing oeftwejenthe extreirities"23` of Hamam members z-a asd-the sur-faces of' the rollers 31 to be gripped therebetween. k'The tensmver the nelddswn yminimes' 2a is sajuste'fnr ehe partie-mar weight of' steek being operated im es insure than me forward edge of me sheet 'will enter voetweeii the hoi'ddown members 2B and im vToners `:ny amo-be mammina eher-eey in position reiativejiy tothe carrier. `The carrier advances .toward the Ilet, viewing Figure 1,'With a 'sheet thus positioned and held 'in place thereon. A

Carrfiedloy one of 'the sdle irarnes 2` is a ytrack s2. `'me nass 52 is fastened so me fssmuzby sc .lews 53. Resilient material `such asrubber 54 (.Figure 48) is .imerposesi between the track and the iframe. This allows fthe track Ito be depnesd somewhat *toward the frame during @eration of the 'ans mili presently ine 'The .mk-Tis'nf generally Wedge shape in cross Ronin, as shown in Figure 7. It is very 'shnr't as omnpre'd w'ilh the wavelet 'ihe'icamrier amid'is Aposi- The sheet delivered lby the ktapes '3 Y tioned adjacentl the left-hand end lof thedeliveryfviewing Figuresl and 2.A A

Carried by one of the castings 20 andrextending outwardly toward the adjacent frame member 2 whichvcarries the track 52 is a. stud 55. Fixed to the stud by a set screw 56 is a collar 51. Carried loosely upon the st ud 55 is a sleeve 58 having a radial flange 59. Fixed to the gripper shaft23 is an arm 68. Pivotedrto the flange 59 at 6| and to the arm 6|) at 62 is a link 63. Surrounding the stud 55 and having one end connected with the collar 51 at 64 and the other end connected with the flange 59 at 65 is a coil spring 66. The coil spring is applied so that, the stud 55 being considered stationary, it urges the sleeve 58 and the flange 59 to turn thereabout in the counter-clockwise direction, viewing Figure 8, vwhereby to turn the gripper shaft 23 in the counter-clockwise direction to move the grippers toward operative position as they are shown in Figure 5.

Rotatably carried by the outer end of the stud 55 is an externally threaded sleeve 61 having lintegral therewith one portion 68.0f a. roller adapted to cooperate with the track 52. Threaded onto the sleeve 61 is an internally threaded sleeve 69 carrying a complementary portion10 of the roller. The sleeve 69 may be adjusted relatively to the portion 68 to enable the roller to cooperate properly with the track 52 whereupon the sleeve 69 is fastened to the sleeve 6.1 by a set screw 1|. The sleeve 61 has a reduced extension 12 to which is xed by a set screw 13 a sleeve 14. A coil spring 15 surrounds the sleeveV 58 and is connected with the sleeve 14 at 16, as shown in Figure 7. A sleeve 11 surrounds the coil spring 15 to keep out Vdust and dirt. The sleeve 11 lies loosely between the flange 59 and the sleeve 14.

The coil spring 15 cooperating with the sleeve 58 forms a free Wheeling clutch between the roller 68--10 and the sleeve 58 which carries the flange 59. The spring is connected only to the flange 14, its opposite end being free. Thus when the roller 68-19 is turned in the counter-clockwise direction about the axis of the stud 55 view- `ingFigure 8 the spring 15 has no function and the roller, sleeve 61, collar 14 and spring 15 turn alone. When, however, the roller is turned in the opposite direction the spring 15 which engages the sleeve 58 frictionally grips such sleeve and the sleeve and its flange 59 are turned -in the clockwise direction viewing Figure 8, thus turning the gripper shaft 23 in the clockwise direction and raising the grippers to inoperative position.

The gripper shaft 23 has a reduced extension 18 extending toward the adjacent side frame 2 from one of the castings 20. Fixed to the extenlsion 18,is an arm 19 (Figure 14). The arm 19 has a cam portion 80 and a locking portion 8|. Pivoted to the adjacent casting 29 at 82 is a latch 83 having an operative or engaging portion 830,. The latch 83 is urged to turn in the clockwise direction, viewing Figure 2, by a coil spring 84 connected with the latch at 85 and with the casting at 86. The spring 84 vmaintains the latch 83 in contact with the arm 19. As the shaft 23 with its extension 18 turns in the counterclockwise direction, viewing Figure 14, the latch 83 rides upon the cam portion 80 of the arm 19 and ultimately drops 01T of such cam portion into the locking portion 8|, thus holding the shaft 23 against movement in the clockwise direction, viewing Figure 14.

A detent 81 in the path of movement of the latch 83 during oscillation of the. carrier 4 is pivoted at 88 to a bracket 89 connected to the frame by bolts 90. The detent 81 normally depends in the position shown in Figure l2. When in such position it has a generally lvertical latch engaging face 9| and a generally horizontal face 92 which in the position shown in Figurel 12 lies against a generally horizontally extending stop 93. 'I 'hus as .viewed inFigure 12 the detent 81 isfree to turn in the clockwise direction about the axis of the pivot 88 but cannot turn in the counter-clockwise direction.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows. When the carrier 4 is at the right-hand end of its stroke, viewing Figure 1, and ready to move toward the lefta sheet is being moved toward the left on the tapes 3. At such time the grippers are in operative position, as shown in Figure 5. As the carrier moves toward the left the sheet catches up with it when the carrier has move approximately one-third of its stroke and is positioned and gripped by the grippers as above explained. The carrier with the sheet thereon then continues its movement toward the left, viewing Figure 1. The pinion 43 is in mesh with the rack 45 but the spider 39 and consequently the shaft 33 does not turn. As the carrier nears the end of its stroke the roller or wheel 68-18 rides upon the track 52 but does not affect the sleeve 58 or the mechanism connected therewith. Thus when the carrier is moving toward the left, viewing Figure 1, the free wheeling clutch which incorporates the spring 15 idles. The spring 66 holds the grippers down in operative position.

The parts remain in such position until the instant the carrier begins its return stroke toward the right, viewing Figure 1. At such instant the pinion 43 and sleeve 42 cause the spider 39 and the shaft 33 to turn in the clockwise direction, viewing Figure 5. Also the roller or wheel 68-10 rides on the track 52, turning in the clockwise direction, viewing Figure 8. When the roller turns in the clockwise direction the spring 15 grips the sleeve 58 and turns such sleeve and the lflange 59 in the clockwise direction, viewing Figure 8, yto turn the gripper shaft in the clockwise direction against the action of the spring 66 wherebyto raise thegrippers to inoperative position. The grippers continue to be raised until the pivotal connection 6| reaches dead center between the axis of the stud 55 and the pivotal connection62. At such time the grippers are in their extreme raised position. However, at approximately the same time the latch 83 drops into the locking portion 8| of the arm 19. Thus any further turning of the sleeve 58 and flange `59 in the clockwise direction, viewing Figure 8, is

prevented.Y From that point on the roller or wheel 68-18 will slide frictionally along the track 52. This Will cause the right-hand end of the track, viewing Figure 8, to be somewhat depressed since the rolling engagement will have changed tosliding engagement. For this reason the track 52 is resiliently mounted. The roller slides along the track for only a short distance until it passes off of the end of vthe track. The carrier moves back toward the press while the tapes 35 roll out from under the sheet which passes beneath the raised grippers and falls upon the pile. As move,- ment of the carrier toward the press continues the latch 83 strikes the surface 9| of the detent 81, which turns the latch in the counter-clockwise direction about the axis of the pivot 82, viewing Figure 3, and releases the gripper shaft 33 which is then turned to move the Vgrippers down Y into operative position .by .thespring- 6B. As lthe carrier begins its movement toward the left, Av iewing Figure 1, in thesucceeding cycle the latch --82 strikes the surface of the detentsl generally opposed to the surface 9i Zandswings .the detent out of the Way ,in the clockwisedirection about the axis ofthe pivot 88, thefdetent :thereafter swinging back by gravity to the position shown in Figure 12.

.l While I have shown and ydescribed a present preferred embodiment ofthe invention it istobe distinctly understood that the invention isnQt. limited-'thereto but may be otherwise variously Aembodied within they -scope of the following claims; .v

1. vSheet-handling apparatus comprising la y movable carrier against which asheet is adapted to be4 positioned, means for-positioning the sheet -f' relatively tothe carrier movable to andvfrom op- .erative4 position relatively to the carrier .and .means including a vrotary member and a memberalong which said rotary, member is adapted to roll upon movement of the carrier to move the positioning means relatively tothe carrier.V

2. `Sheet l,handling apparatus Vcomprising a .movable carrier-against which a sheet is adapted to be positioned, means -for positioning the sheet relatively tothe carrier movable Vto and from operative position relativelyA tov Ythe carrier and meansincluding va. free wheeling clutchfor moving the positioning means'relatively to the carrier. A Y Y e Y .3..Sheet handling apparatus vcomprising an osciuatabie carrier against which a` Ysheet is adapted to be positioned, means forpositioning the sheet relatively tothe carriermovable to and from operative position relatively to ythe carrier and means including aV memberrfreely turnable when theV carrier moves in .one direction and turnable when the carrier moves in the opposite direction to move thepositioning means irelatively to the carrier. vi

' 4. Sheet handling apparatus-comprising@ `cillatable carrier against which a sheet is vadapted to be positioned, means Ifor positioning the'sheet relativen@Y to the vcarrier movable to. and Yfrom operative position ,relativelyv to the carriergand normally.l urged toward YoperativepositionV and r ed Ato .be positioned, rmeans for positioning the Y sheet relatively to the carrier movable to. and .from operative posit-ionrelatively to the carrier,

, means Yoperable upon movement of .the carrier in one direction to move the positioning 4,means to inoperativeY position and idleable uponmovei" ment of, the carrier in the opposite direction and ineansA for 'holding` the positioning meansin inoperativeposition. p

' 6. Sheet handling apparatus comprising an oscillatahle carrier against whichr a sheety is adapted to be positioned, means for positioning the sheet relatively ,to the carrier movable to and from operative position relatively tothe carrier', means operable upon movementof the ca .r-k

rler invr one.v directiony to-.mo've the positioning CTI V)adapted to. be positioned, `means means to inoperative position nand idleable upo Vmovement of the carrier in the opposite direction and latch means operable `upon movement ofthe positioning means Vto inoperative position to maintain the same in such position.

, 7. Sheet handling apparatus comprising an loscillatable carrier 4againstwhich va sheet is adapted to befpositioned means` for positioning the sheet relatively tothe carrier movable to and from operative .position Vrelatively to the carrier, means roperable at -a predetermined point in the movement of the ,carrier to move thepositioningemeans tofoneof operative and inoper ative positions, latch -means operableA upon movement of the positioning means to saidpo- -sition to maintain thesame therein and a detent engageable with the'latch means at lanother predetermined `point in the movement of :the carrier to render the latch means inoperative. 1

VB ih'eet handling `-appamtus Vcomprising an oscilla-table .carrier against which a. sheet for Apositioning the sheet relatively to the carrier movable toand .from operative posi-tion relatively to the carrienrmeans operable at a predetermined Apoint in the movement .of the carrier to move lthe positioningkmeansto one of operative and inoperative positions, latch means operable upon movement of thevpositioning means tosaidpoto maintain the same therein and a detent engageable with the latch means at another predetermined point in `the movement of the carrier-tov render `the latch -means inoperative, :said detentobleing mounted-inV the Vpath of the latch meansduring oscillation cf the carrier andf'soA as'to be moved aside by the latch -means Aupon.movement of the carrier in one direction of oscillation. Y

.9. Sheet' vhandling apparatus comprising va carrier against which a sheet is adapted. to be positioned, means for positioning` the sheetrelkatively tothe carrier/movable to and from operative position relatively to the carrier, cam

means connected with the positioning means,` a

` carrier against `which a sheet adapted to be positinedfmeans for positioning the sheet relvat'ivelfv` to the carrier movable to and from operati've position relatively to ther carrier, the positioningrmeans'being -urgedl toward one VofV operat'ive"l and inoperative positions, means for moving thev positioning means to the other of said positions,A a .latch adapted when the positioning means is in the last mentioned position Yto maintain the samein said position, the latch `being urged into position t-oA n'iai'ntai'n the posi*- tioringfmeans insaid last mentionedposition, and means rendering thelatch inoperative when the positioning means is in the first mentioned 4 position. j

.11.' Sheet handling'V apparatus comprising a carrier against which Va sheet is adapted to'be positioned, means for positioning the sheet relatively to the carrier movable toy and from oper# ativepostionrelatively to the carrier, resilient means urging the positioning means toward one of operative and inoperativepositions, means for movingihe means to the other ot'rsaidpositions, means for holding the posi- Vtioning means in the'last mentioned position shaft, means for turning the shaft to move the positioning means between operativev and inoperative positions relatively to the carrier, a projection on the shaft and means cooperable with said projection to maintain the shaft in predetermined position.

13. Sheet handling apparatus `comprising a movable carrier against lwhich asheet is adapted to be positioned, means for positioning the sheet relatively to the carrier movable to and from operative position relatively to the carrier and means including a wheel and-a track'along which -said wheel rolls uponmovement of. the carrier to move the positioning means relatively to the carrier.

i4. Sheet handling Vapparatus comprising a movable carrier against which a sheet is adapted to be positioned, means for positioning the sheet relatively to the carrier movable to and from operative 'position relatively to the carrier and means including a wheel and atrack along which said wheel rolls upon movement of the carrier to move the positioning means relatively to the carriery one of the wheel and track having a generally wedge shaped tread portion and the other thereof having va recessed tread portion to receive said first mentioned tread portion.

`15. Sheet handling apparatus comprisingl a movable carrier against which a sheet isadapted to be positioned, means for positioning the sheet relatively to the carrier movable to and from operative position relatively to the carrier and means including awheel and Va res'iliently monunted track lalong which said` wheel Vrolls upon movement of the carrier to move'the posii tioning means relatively to the carrier.

16. Sheet handling apparatus comprising a movable carrier against which a sheet is adapted to be positioned, means for positioning the lheet relatively to the carrier movable to and from operative'position relatively gto the carrier, aturnable member, means connected with said turnable member veccentrically thereof,'connec tions with said last mentioned means 'effective upon turning of said turnable member for moving the positioning'means between operative and inoperative positions and means limiting turning of said turnable member to prevent said means connected therewith from substantially passing dead center relatively to `said connections.

V17. Sheet handling apparatus comprisinga movable carrier against which a sheet is adapted to be positioned, means for positioning the sheet relatively to the carrier movable` to and from operative position relatively to the carrier, means including a wheel and a track along which said wheel rolls upon movement of the carrier to move the positioning means relatively to the carrier and means limiting the turning movement o f the wheel upon `predetermined movement of the positioning kmeans relatively to the carrier.

18. Sheet handling apparatus comprising a movable carrier against which a sheet is adapted to be positioned, means for positioning the ment of the wheel upon predetermined movement of the positioning means relativelyto the carrier sothat the carrier slides along the track during a portion of its travel therealong, the track being mounted to vyield. away from'the wheel during said sliding of the wheel there- 19. Sheet handling apparatus comprising an oscillatable carrier against which' a sheet is adapted to be positioned, means for positioning the sheet relatively to the carrier movableV to and from operative position relatively to the carrier, and 'means including a wheel and a trck'along which Isaid wheel rolls and a free wheelingiclutch to move the-positioning means relatively to the carrier upon movement of the carrier in-one direction, said clutch being idleable upon movement of the carrier in the opposite direction. i v

20. Sheet 'handling `apparatus comprising a shaft, a sheet support,vv sheet positioning means for positioning `sheets on the support, connnections between'the shaft and positioningV means to move the latter toward and from operative Yposition upon turning of the shaft, means urging the shaft to turn in one direction and means including a free wheeling clutch for turning the shaft in the opposite direction.

21. Sheet handling apparatus comprising an oscillatable carrier, a shaft, sheet positioning means cooperable with the carrier, connections between the shaft and positioning means to move the latter toward and from operative position upon turning of the shaft and'means including ayfree wheeling clutch operable upon movement of the carrier in one direction for turning the shaft. Y

22. Sheet handling apparatus comprising an oscillatable carrier, a shaft, sheet positioning means cooperable with the carrier, connections between the shaft and -positionirig means to move the latter toward and from operative positionupon turning of the shaft, a stationary :operating memberand a movable operating member adapted upon movement of the carrier to be'moved by contact with the stationary operating member, the movable operating member being connected with the shaft through a free wheeling clutch to turn the shaft upon movement of the carrier in onedirection only. Y

23. Sheet handling apparatuscomprisingan oscillatable carrier, sheet'positioning meanscooperable with the carrier, a stationary operating member and alA Vmovable operating member adapted upon movement of the carrier to be moved by contact with the stationary operating member and connected with the positioning means through a free wheeling clutch, the movable operating vmember riding freely over the stationary operating member upon advance of the carrier with a sheet carried thereby without affecting the positioning means and operating through the free wheeling clutch to render inoperative the positioning means upon retraction of the carrier. y y

y24. Sheet handling apparatus comprising endless sheet Vsupporting means bodily advanceable with a sheet thereon'without partaking of endwise movement and adapted to partake of end- Wisemovsment upon bodily vretraotion thereof to .site direction fior movingthe positioning means 4deliver the sheet, v sheet positioning means` cooperable with the sheet supporting means and .means including a free wheeling clutch idleable upon advance of the lsheetsupporting means Aand operable upon retraction of the sheet-sup- ;porting means to render the positioning means inoperative. f Y

25. Sheet handling apparatus comprising endless sheet supporting meansbodily advanceable Ywith a sheet thereon without partaking of endwise movement and adapted to partake of endwise movement upon bodily retractionthereof to deliver the sheet, sheet positioning vmeans cooperable With the sheet supporting means to position a sheet thereon during advance of the sheet supk porting means and means including a turnable shaft and a roller connected with the shaft and coaxial therewith and rolling upon a track during movement of the sheet supporting means `for turning the shaftto render the positioning means inoperative upon retraction of the sheet supporting means.

26. Sheet handling apparatus comprising endless sheet supporting means bodily advanceable with a sheet thereon without partaking of endw'ise movement and adapted to partake of endwise movement upon bodily retraction thereof to deliver the sheet, sheet positioning means cooperable with the sheet supporting means to position a sheet thereon during advance ofthe sheet supporting means and means including latch means for maintaining the positioning means inoperative upon retraction of the sheet supporting means.

27. Sheet handling apparatus comprising endless sheet supporting means bodily advanceable with a sheet thereon without partaking of end- Wise movement and adapted to partake of endwise movement upon bodily retraction thereof t-o deliver the sheet, sheet positioning means cooperable with the sheet supporting means and means for moving the positioning'means between operative and inoperative positions comprising a roller turnable through less than one revolution upon each movement of the sheet supporting means in each direction.

28. Sheet handling apparatus comprising end- 4less sheet supporting means bodily ladvanceable silient means urging the positioning means to one of operative and inoperative positions, means for moving the positioning means to the other of said positions during bodily movement of the sheet supporting means and latch means for maintaining the positioning means in .said last mentioned position.

29. Sheet handling apparatus comprising endless sheet supportng means bodily advanceable with a sheet thereon without partaking of endvvise movement and adapted to partake of endwise movement upon bodily retraction thereofk to deliver the sheet, sheet positioning means cooperable with the sheet supporting means, resilient means urging the positioning means to one of operative and inoperative positions and means including a free Wheeling clutch idleable upon bodily movement of the sheet supporting means in one direction and operable upon bodily movement of the sheet supporting means in the oppoto the other of said positions.

30,. Sheet handling apparatus comprising endless sheet supporting means bodily advanceable with asheet thereon without partaking of endvvise movement and adapted to partake of endwise movement upon bodily retraction thereof Vto deliver the sheet, sheet'positioning means cooperable vwith the sheet supporting means, resilient means urging `the positioning means to operative position and means including a free wheeling clutch idleable upon-.advance of the sheet Vsupporting means to permit the resilient means to render the positioning means'operative :and operable upon retractionV of the sheet supporting kmeans-to move the positioningmeans-t inoperative position.r I

31. Sheet handling' apparatus `comprising endless sheetsupporting means bodily advanceableA with a sheet thereonwithout partaking of end*- wisemovement and adapted to -partake `of end;- wise movement upon bodily retraction thereof to deliver the sheet, sheet positioning means cooperable with the sheet supporting means, resilient means urging the positioning means to operative position, means including a free Wheeling clutch idleableV upon advance of the sheet supporting means to permit the resilient means to render the positioning means operative and operable upon retraction of the sheet supporting means to move the positioning means to inoperative position and latch means to maintain the positioning means in inoperative position.

32. Sheet handling apparatus comprising endless sheet supporting means bodily advanoeable With a sheet thereon without partaking of endwise movement and adapted to partake of endwise movement upon bodily retraction thereof to deliver the sheet, sheet positioning means cooperaole with the sheet supporting means, resilient means urging the positioning means to operative position, means including a free wheeling clutch idleable upon advance of the sheet supporting means to permit the resilient means to render the positioning means operative and operable upon retraction of the sheet supporting means to move the positioning means to inoperative position, latch means to maintain the positioning Vmeans in inoperative position during a predetermined portion of the retractive movement of the sheet supporting means and means for rendering the latch means inoperative to permit the resilient means to return the positioning means to operativeposition at the end of said predetermined portion of the retractive movement of the sheet supporting means.

33. Sheet handling apparatus comprising endless sheet supporting means bodily advanceable with a sheet thereon without partaking of endwise movement and adapted to partake of end- Wise movement upon bodily retraction thereof to deliver the sheety sheet positioning means cooperable with the sheet supporting means, means inoperative upon advance of the sheet supporting Vmeans but operative upon retraction of the sheet movable carrier against which a sheet isadapted to be positioned, means for positioning the sheet relatively to the carrier movable to and from operative position relatively to theV carrier and means including a wheel and a track with which the wheel interengages upon movement of the carrier to move the positioning means relatively to the carrier, one of the wheel and track having opposed portions relatively adjustable to alter the interengagement between the wheel and track.

35. Sheet handling apparatus comprising an oscillatable carrier against which a sheet is adapted to be positioned, means for positioning the sheet relatively to the carrier movable to and from operative position relatively to the carrier, means including a connection operable upon movement of the carrier in one direction only for moving the positioning means relatively to the carrier in one direction of movement of the positioning means and spring means for moving the positioning means relatively to the carrier in the opposite direction of movement of the positioning means.

36. Sheet handling apparatus comprising an oscillatable carrier against which a sheet is adapted to be positioned, means for positioning the sheet relatively to the carrier movable to and from operative position relatively to the carrier, means operable at a predetermined point in the movement of the carrier to move the positioning means to one of operative and inoperative positions, latch means operable upon movement of the positioning means to said position to maintain the same therein, means operable at another predetermined point in the movement of the carrier to render said latch means inoperative and spring means operable upon rendering inoperative of the latch means to move the po sitioning means to the other of operative and inoperative positions.

SAMUEL A. HUFFMAN. 

